Vaccine preventable diseases can affect everyone. You may think you are not at risk; but everyone is. Each year thousands of adults in the US suffer from conditions which a vaccine could have prevented. Many are hospitalized; some even die.

Adult vaccines include: flu, tetanus diptheria/pertussis (Td/Tdap), HPV for both men and women, shingles, and pneumonia.

The flu shot is needed every year because the virus changes. It is best to get this vaccine in mid to late October or early November. Td/Tdap..you need Tdap once in your adult life and then a Td every 10 years. HPV should be taken before the age of 25 to prevent genital warts and cervical cancer. Zoster or shingles vaccine is for anyone over the age of 60 who had chicken pox. Pneumonia vaccine should be given after the age of 65.

If you have certain diseases like diabetes, heart disease, asthma or COPD, you may need to get the Shingles and Pneumonia vaccine at an earlier age. You should ask your provider when you are seen.

There are also some travel vaccines to consider depending on your destination. Set up an appointment with your provider at least 6 weeks before travel. Go to www.cdc.gov/travel to find out if you need any vaccines.

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Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer. And the all too often dreaded bathing suit time.
If you have been keeping up with the research on nutrition, you know that all evidence points to the need to be on a whole food, plant based diet.

Animal protein and animal fat have proven to be linked to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and many forms of cancer.

For one month – eat only whole foods and plant based protein. This means grains, all vegetables and fruits are allowed. Avoid all dairy products and all meats including fish. And don’t get cute and fill up on crackers and cookies! Keep away from processed food. Eat fresh and whole foods. Visit your local farmers market.

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I read an interesting article recently which showed research linking certain pollen allergies to food sensitivities.

Up to 70% of people with pollen allergies experience unpleasant reactions to certain foods. This is called ‘Oral Allergy Syndrome” (OAS). Some common reactions include:

* itchy or swollen lips

* tingling at the back of throat

* scratchiness on roof of mouth

* watery or itchy eyes

Most of these symptoms are not serious; but, can be annoying. The theory of OAS is that the problem is not the food, but the pollen. When certain foods are eaten in the spring and fall during high pollen count, the body’s immune system mistakes the food pollen as the plant pollen and there is a cross-reaction. There are specific foods to avoid if you have ‘grass’ allergies: oranges, tomatoes, melons and figs

If you are allergic to weeds, especially ragweed, avoid: banana, cantaloupe, cucumber, melons, zucchini,artichoke and teas of echinacea, chamomile and hibiscus.

Usually, symptoms will occur immediately after eating the offending foods. Another way to avoid OAS is to eliminate artificial additive, artificial sweeteners, and pesticides. It is also helpful to boost your immune system. The weaker the immune system, the more likely your body will have a cross-reaction. Drink plenty of water, get daily exercise and at least seven hours of sleep nightly. During the peak allergy season, eat your offending fruits and vegetables cooked rather than raw.

If you are unsure of which foods trigger this cross-reaction, keep a food journal.

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Vegetables continue to be a major source of intestinal disease due to contaminants.
About 2.2 million Americans get sick every year from contaminated leafy vegetables. Add all produce to that list – like fruits and other vegetables- and the number doubles.

Everyone is aware that we should wash our vegetables before eating. But not everyone does a good job of that.

A simple way to wash which will get rid of pathogens, insecticide and oil(to make them look good) is to fill a sink with water and put about 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the water. Add vegetables and fruits and let sit for 10 minutes.

Using this technique, you will find your produce lasts longer and berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries will resist mold.

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Tax time, long winter, have to find health care insurance, my car is not going to last much longer, my daughter needs braces, my boss wants this report in 2 days…all this leads to STRESS.

We all have it. It just is managed by some better than others. Proven techniques for stress management are meditation, tai chi and yoga. These three modalities put you in the present time. Stress is about tomorrow and sometimes yesterday. If you live each moment in the present – rather than yesterday or tomorrow – your stress is minimal.

Meditation is often thought to be too difficult to master. I want to offer you a simple technique which you can do at your desk, on the subway, or at home. It only takes a few minutes. It is called alternate nostril breathing.

Sit in comfortable position. Breath in and out through both nostrils slowly one time. Then place the fleshy side of your thumb on the right nostril and close it. Exhale and then inhale to the count of 9 through your left nostril. Close the left nostril with your in second finger and hold your breath for nine seconds. Release your thumb and exhale and then inhale through the right nostril to the count of nine.

This is one round. Do this nine times. Eventually try to get up to 27 rounds. And feel the peace surround you.

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I haven’t written anything for almost a year. Have had some security issues and finally got resolved.

This post is about ‘heartburn’ or acid reflux. There are many causes of this symptom. Some of the causes are very serious and need to be treated by a health care provider – not just an over the counter remedy.

How can you tell is this is serious or not? Does it happen frequently? Does it last more than a few minutes? Have you ever vomited blood? Have you ever seen blood in your stool or black tarry stools? Do you take over the counter pills with no relief? If you answer yes to any of those questions, this is not something you should ignore. Tell your health care provider about your symptoms.

Often a simple change of lifestyle will improve your symptoms. Loosing weight and exercise will help with digestion and aid in the natural movement of your food. Eliminating certain foods will also help – caffeine, chocolate, all carbonated drinks and alcohol especially red wine.

If you decide to try some of the over the counter remedies, start with antacids like tums. If that does not completely control your symptom, try the H2 inhibitors like ranitidine. Long term use of the PPI eg Prilosec is a very bad idea.
If you find you need H2 inhibitors or a PPI, be sure and discuss this with your health care provider.

Eating small meals throughout the day rather than three big meals will also help with digestion. If you suffer heartburn at night, be sure to stop eating at least five hours before you go to bed.

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I saw this in Bon Appetit magazine and meant to share – but then couldn’t locate again..now here it is. Am afraid if I don’t post now, I will not find it during the winter ‘cold’ season. Am sure it will also work for those summer colds – which seem to be more annoying and last longer. Let me know what you think of it.

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The DC metro area is one of the highest allergy rated nationwide. If you are feeling extra fatigue, experiencing nasal congestion or constant throat clearing…ahem…you could be one of this area’s allergan victims.

Many of the over the counter antihistamnes will take care of symptoms. If you try the medications for a week and do not get any relief, come into the office for a consult.
If your symptoms are associated with a fever or a productive cough, it is probably not allergies.

One of the best things to help control these allergies is to take a night time shower. Washing off all the pollen and allergy particles before you go to bed will help tremendously. Also be very wary of room or house humidifiers..they make the mold and spore count increase drastically. If you must use one – be sure and add the bacteriostatic solution for humidifiers daily.

Don’t let allergy season keep you indoors. This is the time of year to get outside and enjoy the great DC spring weather. Take an antihistamine. And call your nurse practitioner if it doesn’t work.